New Code of Conduct by ICC sees increased penalty for ball tampering

ICC has brought in more strict penalties for changing the condition of the ball.

The governing body for cricket, International Cricket Council (ICC) has released a new set of rules regarding ICC Code of Conduct and ICC Playing Conditions. One of the major changes to the code of conduct revolves around ball tampering charges.

The changes will come into effect from September 30, when the first ODI between South Africa and Zimbabwe will be played in Kimberley.

Changing the condition of the ball’ categories of the ICC Code of Conduct will now incur a Level 3 offense. This was caused in the aftermath of the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa vs. Australia Test involving Australia’s David Warner, Steve Smith, and Cameron Bancroft. Additionally, the maximum sanction for a Level 3 offense has been increased from eight suspension points to 12 suspension points (equivalent to 6 Test matches or 12 ODIs).

New offenses have been introduced as well: ‘Attempting to gain an unfair advantage (cheating, other than ball-tampering)’, ‘Personal abuse’, ‘Audible obscenity’and ‘Disobeying an umpire’s instructions’.

Other minor tweaks include ‘allowing a match to be concluded before a scheduled interval’ and ‘not allowing boundary rope to be any more than 10 yards from the edge of the available playing area unless the boundary is the maximum 90 yards from the center of the pitch'.